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21 March 2012

Public utility jeepneys (PUJs) operating in the National Capital Region and Regions 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11 will start charging a minimum fare of P8.50 Wednesday, after the government granted Tuesday the provisional fare increase petitions of transport operators.

Five regions of the country are not covered by the fare hike. In the seven-page decision, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) reinstated the former minimum jeepney fare of P8.50 after weeks of public consultations and deliberations.

The LTFRB allowed the 50-centavo additional charge in the minimum fare which covers the first four kilometers of travel. The rate of the succeeding kilometers remains the same.

The Board clarified that the provisional fare increase will not cover the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), and Regions 1, 5, and 12, since no similar fare hike petition was initiated by transport operators in these areas.

Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II said the LTFRB reached the decision after studying how the prices of automotive spare parts and accessories continued to increase since 2009, when the minimum jeepney fare was pegged at P8.50.

“We have seen that indeed there has been a increase in the cost of spare parts like tires, brake oils and other accessories, not to mention the rising cost of fuel, electricity and basic goods and services for the past four years,” he said.

“This is why it is just proper for government to grant the provisional 50-centavo fare increase for now,” he added.

Malacañang expressed hope that jeepney drivers and operators will be satisfied with the approved P0.50 centavo-fare increase.

“We hope this will be welcomed by the transport sector. We hope they will be happy since they asked for this fare increase,” said Deputy Presidential Spokeswoman Abigail Valte.

Valte also affirmed that the President Aquino remains open to holding another dialogue with transport sector to resolve their concerns in the wake of surging fuel prices.

She said when the President met with transport leaders at the Palace last year, Aquino voiced his readiness to meet with them again. “Our communication lines are always open to address concerns of the transport sector,” Valte said.

Roxas said the provisional increase may scarcely influence inflation but as it will only translate to P1 hike for two-way transportation of commuters to their workplace, school, home or other places of destination. (With a report from Genalyn D. Kabiling)